MH17 sanctions threatened by arms deals with Russia

Many countries are pushing for sanctions against Russia, and Vladimir Putin personally, over its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

AFP: Sergei Chirikov

Revelations about not just French but British arms deals with Russia are undercutting attempts by the European Union to impose economic sanctions and put pressure on Vladimir Putin.

On Wednesday, Britain's prime minister David Cameron called on France to scrap its delivery of two warships to Moscow.

However, a day later there are revelations that Britain has kept export permits in place that also allow it to export arms to Russia.

The United States and the European Union want Vladimir Putin to feel some real economic pain, enough to reconsider Moscow's support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine - rebels that are the prime suspects for shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

However, so far, the tough talk is just that, and there are real questions about the west's resolve to do what it takes, amid revelations that Britain is still allowing the export of arms to Russia.

"We were surprised by the number, we were surprised by the size of the value. It is a matter of surprise and concern," said British MP Sir John Stanley, who chairs the Commons Committee on Arms Export Controls.

He says more than 200 British arms exports to Russia remain in place, despite sanction calls from British prime minister David Cameron.

UK foreign policy is underpinned by ... undeniable hypocrisy, if the UK talks about human rights and democracy abroad ... but at the same time UK companies are profiting from the conflict.

Andrew Smith, anti-arms campaigner

"Our top priority recommendation is that the government takes a significantly more cautious approach in granting export licence approvals for arms that can be used for internal repression being given to authoritarian regimes," Sir Stanley added.

The arms sales continue as pressure ramps up on France to scrap the delivery of two warships to Russia - a sign that European unity on sanctions remains uncertain.

Britain has defended its position, saying there have been no sales to Russia since March even though licences are in place for, "non-military legitimate reasons".

Guy Anderson from the arms industry adviser Jane's Defence agrees that jargon is open for interpretation.

"Something like a rifle, I mean that's quite clear. That could be a dual-use item, it could be for police forces, it could be for sports use," he said.

"Less so, of course, if you're talking about machine guns or sniper rifles, but it is quite a grey area."

Little economic harm from stopping sales

So would a UK ban on arms sales to Russia hurt the British economy?

Guy Anderson says Britain would barely suffer.

"If the UK suspended all export licences relating to defence equipment to Russia, it would not harm the UK's defence industrial base," he said.

Anti-arms campaigner Andrew Smith says selling weapons is more than a question of just supplying the means for aggression and repression.

"It's entirely up to the UK who it sells arms to, because arms sales don't just provide military support, they provide a strong political support as well," he said.

Mr Smith told the BBC that, when it comes to sanctions, national self-interest can often outweigh worthy intentions.

"UK foreign policy is underpinned by ... undeniable hypocrisy, if the UK talks about human rights and democracy abroad as the prime minister has talked about in relation to Ukraine but at the same time UK companies are profiting from the conflict," he argued.

"In order for the arms trade to fly it requires conflict and war, it requires internal oppression or it requires the threat of conflict or internal aggression. This is an industry which makes a profit from global insecurity. Its interests are nothing to do with peacekeeping."

The appearance of EU disunity is starting to rattle the United States.

"I think Europe has been very weak on sanctions and Mr Putin has counted on that," said John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Ukraine.

A spokesman for the British government says its export controls are robust and rigorous, with a particular focus on human rights.

European foreign ministers are scheduled to reconvene over the next week as pressure grows for sanctions that will block Russia from capital markets and target people and entities close to Vladimir Putin.